Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 September 1900 — WASHINGTON LETTER [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON LETTER

POLITICAL SITUATION VIEWED FROM THE CAPITAL. Hann*** Gloomy Plctnre of Republican Apathy—O. O. P. Chairman Tries to Scare the Trn*t* an I Banking Intereat* Into Contributing. Washington correspondence: “It will not do to neglect a single effort or to miss a trick,” was the keynote of Hanna’s New Jersey speech. It was the first one he had made this campaign. He drew a gloomy picture of Republican apathy and tried to make It appear that desperate measures must be taken to defeat Bryan. It was an effort to scare the trusts into contributing more to the campaign. The trusts and banking interests have displayed considerable apathy. They profess to believe the prosperity argument and If McKinley is so sure of reelection as he pretended to be some time ago, the moneyed interests did not see why they should contribute. They consider that they bought and paid for their present prosperity in ’O6. Hanna and his henchmen are taking a new tack. They are trying to convince the trusts and banking concerns that the election of Bryan will mean serious changes In tariff ijnd financial legislation. It is too transparent. While it is almost certain that the next House will be Democratic, yet even if Bryan is elected there is no possibility of a Democratic majority Ln the Senate before 1903 and only then if the people approve of Bryan’s policy sufficiently to give him a Congress in accordance with his views. Bryan makes the better argument on this very point. ll* says that even if his policy could change financial legislation In the extreme manner represented by alarmists, yet that would be a less danger than to re-elect McKinley and commit the country to imperialism. Imperialism means a radical departure from the principles upon which our Government is founded. Once well embarked upon this policy no legislation can check it. On the other hand, financial or tariff legislation, If too radical and harmful, can easily be amended and changed whenever the people choose to have it done. The real reason of Republican apathy is that the administration lias not the courage to face the issue of imperialism squarely aud defend Its own policy. The Intelligence and common sense of the people is outraged when men like Senator Lodge declare that there is no such issue as imperialism. The hedging and dodging of the Republicans lead the voters to believe that something very dangerous is concealed under the policy of Imperialism. They are right In that estimate. If the true history of affairs in Cuba. Porto Rico aud the Philippines were known the recital would horrify every libertyloving citizen. The uncensored news which comes by mail from Manila shows that the military authorities there have taken scores of “political prisoners.” Think of it. Russia could do no more. Then ■ a strong hint conies that there are Americans in the island who are doing all they can to keep the Filipinos angry and suspicious. Why? Because certain officers want easy places, good salaries and plenty of opportunities for plunder. These and not the anti-impe-rialists In this country are encouraging the Filipinos to hold out. Yet It is pathetic to hear that the Filipinos were ' overjoyed when the present commission lauded because they haff been told flint It would give them independence. Their disappointment was great when they found that the commission came merely to command their submission to the edicts of the imperial McKinley. Teddy Makes Trouble. There is plenty of trouble about Roosevelt. He came over to the White House uninvited the other day and kept his dear enemy President McKinley up all night telling him what he should put in his letter of acceptance. McKinley must like to take advice from the strenuous gentleman who said he had "a chocolate eclair backbone." Then the Western voters are taking exception to the Idea that Roosevelt its to be shunted on to them Ltecause they are not supposed to be able to see through his silly pretense of being a military hero. It Is agreed that he won’t do in the East. Ills Rough Rider antics savor too much of the three-ring circus. And the West Is letting It be known at headquarters that it prefers more dignity and less noise in Its campaign. Then the voters of New York State are making a howl because Roosevelt entirely neglects his duties as Governor, lie draws his salary for filling that office and spends all his time on his vice-presidential campaign. Truly the Republicans have troubles of their own. Ilanna’H tcheme Failed.' And so Mark Hanna bad a little scheme to control the antl-imperlnilst convention at Indianapolis and get It to pass a resolution In favor of a third party ticket because the members could not trust either McKinley or Bryan. His little scheme failed to work. The convention was not built that way. It feared McKinley all right enough, but It had every confidence In William Jennings Bryan. This is one case where boodle didn’t work.—Kansas City Times. „ Have Even Gone Back on Lincoln. If you want to make a thick and thin McKinley Republican real mad Just quote from the Declaration of Independence or from the writings and epeechel of Abraham Lincoln.—Dubuque Herald.